Electric switch construction



Feb. 25, 1941. R, H BENTLEY 2,233,336

ELECTRIC SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed June 5. 1939 l 4. E11. i Y kj 42 To .z 0

M INVENTOR ROBERT H. BENTLEY U BY His ATTORNEYS rennes1-ea 2s, 194i UNITED YSTATES PATENT OFFICE casacca ELECTRIC swrrcn coNs'raUc'rIoN Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,512

4 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches. More particularly it relates to electric switches in which one or more bridging contacts are employed and are insulated from the actuating mechanism of the switch.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved mounting for bridging contacts in an .electric switch, wherein the bridging contacts may adjust themselves to irregularities ln position and form of fixed contacts. Another object of my invention is to provide a mounting for bridging contacts in an electric switch, which mounting will permit the use oi one or several, contacts, as may be required. Another object of my i5 invention is to provide an improved mounting for bridging contacts of an electric switch in which the contacts are mounted upon the insulating hub and are insulated from the switch actuating mechanism. Dther objects and advantages of my invention will appear as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing- Fig. l is an end elevation view of switch ac 2B tuating mechanism and a contact-carrying hub construction embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective .view of the hub and contact and a portion of the bearingsupport for the hub;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view oi.' the switch actuating mechanism with the hub and switch contact removed therefrom:

Fig. 4 is an end elevation view partly in section, showing my improved contact mounting in assembled relation in a switch;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the hub which carries the bridging contacts.

Referring to the drawing, it will be noted that the switch mechanism is mounted within an ino sulating casing Ill having a hollow main body portion I2 open at the bottom and a portion I4 to cover the bottom. The switch may be actuated manually by a handle I6 extending through the top of the body I2. The handle may 45 be rocked to cause a switch yoke I8 to rock within V-shaped openings 20 vin each of the side plates 22 and 24 of a switch frame. These side plates may be secured together by end plates 28 and the whole frame may be attached to the 50 base I4 by bolts 28. The yoke I8 may be caused to move with a snap motion by reason of the employment of a tension spring 30 which may be actuated by the handle I6 in any suitable fashion. Inasmuch as the details oi the operating sa mechanism oi the switch form no part o: this (Ci. 20G-168) invention and may be varied according to the teachings in the prior art a more detailed description 'oi this actuating mechanism is unnecessary.

The switch yoke I8 is of U-shape and has lateral extensions 32 from each of its parallel arms. The upper ends of the parallel arms of the yoke I8 rest against the apex of the V-opening 20 in the frame members conventionally and ailord bearing means for the yoke I8 to rock within the opening 20. The extensions 32 are of irregular contour, being stepped to provide large portions 32a and reduced portions 32h which ex' tend further than the portions 32a On the extensions 32 are mounted hubs 34 of insulating material. These hubs are generally cylindrical in shape, having an enlarged cylindrical end 36 and a collar portion 38 between the enlarged end 36 and the main body portion of the hub. At the opposite end 40 of the hub the end is reduced, while extending longitudinally between this reduced end and the collar 38 are three channels or utes 42 spaced 126 apart around the hub in position to receive keys 44 of identical bridging contact assemblies 45 and 41.

Referring to the bridging contact member 45, for example, the contact may be made oi two similar complementary stamped resilient sheet metal members 48 having contact portions 50 on the ends ci radially extending arms which proceed from a circular central portion which is apertured so that the contact assembly may slide onto the shank ci the hub. The two members 48, just described, may be secured together by a metal ring 52 having several fingers 54 extending therefrom and bent around the two members of the contact. Thus, when the two stamped sheet metal members 48 ,are placed face to face and the securing ring 52 is placed against one of the outside faces of these two members and the fingers 54 are bent around the contact members, a permanent contact assembly is formed. Each of the contact members 4l and the securing ring 52 as well, will have keys 44 extending radially f inward and in register with one another. Preferably the ends of the contacts will be ilared so as to embrace a stationary contact member (5I or 53) as the movable contact comes into engagement with the stationary contact. One or more contact assemblies may be slid upon the hub 34 as occasion requires so that a single pole or a multi-pole switch may be created.

In the enlarged end 36 of the hub there is provided a slot 55 having configuration similar to the extensions 32 of the switch yoke I3 so 

